Bicycle Mechanics - Modernizing components on a '84 Schwinn Mesa Runner

I'd like to spread the rear triangle on a '84 Schwinn Mesa Runner to accomidate a more modern wheelset and components.

As you can see from the photo below this bike has a bolt on derailure hanger.

http://static.flickr.com/53/153951940_0b309220f6_m.jpg
(click for larger image) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37751576@N00/153951940/)

I'm concerned that I will not be able to adjust a replacement derailure to compensate for being further from the rear cassette (than it would be on a bike with an integrated derailure hanger).

Is my assumption wrong?

I've considered using a Shimano Tourney Deraileur, but want to upgrade to an 8-speed (and I've heard my share of negative opinions on Shimano Tourney Deraileurs).

I'd like to spread the rear triangle on a '84 Schwinn Mesa Runner to accomidate a more modern wheelset and components.

As you can see from the photo below this bike has a bolt on derailure hanger.

I'm concerned that I will not be able to adjust a replacement derailure to compensate for being further from the rear cassette (than it would be on a bike with an integrated derailure hanger).

Is my assumption wrong?

I've considered using a Shimano Tourney Deraileur, but want to upgrade to an 8-speed (and I've heard my share of negative opinions on Shimano Tourney Deraileurs).

Not a problem. By the way, anybody who knocks Tourney derailers is speaking from snobbery, not knowledge.

They work as well as any other derailer, though they are heavier and not pretty.

Sheldon "Cheap And Good" Brown

+--------------------------------------------+
| Silence is not always a sign of wisdom |
| but babbling is ever a mark of folly. |
| -- Benjamin Franklin |
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I just picked up a Mesa runner '85 today. Its in good shape. I too am thinking about putting new wheels on it. It looks like it would take a 700 cc wheelset but I think I would have to go to cantilever brakes. Not really sure what Im gonna do with it yet.,but it is a cool old heavy bike.

'83 Schwinn le tour luxe, 4130 frame with stamped dropouts and an adapter claw derailleur hanger, rear dropout spacing cold set from 126mm to 130mm to accomodate a modern freehub. Current rear derailleur: Shimano XT from around '02 or '03, works like a charm, even with indexed shifting.

I just picked up an '84 Mesa Runner at a garage sale. It needs a lot of cleaning and work. One of the cogs on the derailleur has had the teeth completely worn off. I know nothing of bike mechanics, but want to learn, using this as a project bike.

Where should I look for parts?

I'd like to spread the rear triangle on a '84 Schwinn Mesa Runner to accomidate a more modern wheelset and components.

As you can see from the photo below this bike has a bolt on derailure hanger.

http://static.flickr.com/53/153951940_0b309220f6_m.jpg
(click for larger image) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/37751576@N00/153951940/)

I'm concerned that I will not be able to adjust a replacement derailure to compensate for being further from the rear cassette (than it would be on a bike with an integrated derailure hanger).

Is my assumption wrong?

I've considered using a Shimano Tourney Deraileur, but want to upgrade to an 8-speed (and I've heard my share of negative opinions on Shimano Tourney Deraileurs).

The position difference, isn't that much, most derailleurs have a fair range of adjustment, and the bolt on hangers are not that thick. One thing to remember, when you replace the cassette or wheel, get a new chain as well. Actually looking at that photo, does that chain even work?